mary, thank you. >> thanks, cheryl. dennis: president obama arriving in the new york area to survey sandy damage. in far rockaway, queens with details, liz? >> we saw the helicopters flying overhead 5-10 minutes ago, possibly surveying what's becoming new york city in the tristate area's biggest waste site for debris left over from 11 towns wrecked by superstorm sandy. more op that story later in the hour, delivers live updates throughout the day. back to you. dennis: thank you, liz. 163 u.s. mayors sent a letter urging congress to get the act together and avoid the fiscal cliff. they are in washington hammering the message home today. today, one from massachusetts joins us. mayor, who did you see today? what's the most important message to give them? >> well, it's time to break the gridlock down here. i hear back home and other mayors hear it all the time, they are critical decisions, and it's about the fabric of government. what are we going to pay? what services will we get for what we pay? that's the issues down her